Fuel cell and method for fabricating same

Abstract

[Problems] Miniaturization and weight-saving of a fuel cell including a plurality of unit cells are intended together with higher integration of the unit cells. [Means for Solving Problems] A pair of electrode sheet 100a, 100b, each having a plurality of fuel electrodes 110a, 110b or a plurality of oxidant electrodes 112a, 112b supported by a resin section 102, are disposed on a single plane on the respective surfaces of a solid electrolyte membrane 105 to configure a plurality of unit cells. The fuel electrode and the oxidant electrode of the adjacent two unit cells existing on the respective surfaces of the solid electrolyte membrane are connected in series by using an electroconductive member penetrating the solid electrolyte membrane. Since the electroconductive member 108 extends along the stacking direction of the cell, no excess space is required to achieve the miniaturization of the fuel cell.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a fuel cell having a solid electrolyte membrane on which a plurality of unit cells are disposed, and a method for fabricating the same. BACKGROUND ART [0002] A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell is a power generator in which a fuel electrode and an oxidant electrode are bonded to the respective surfaces of an ion exchange membrane such as a perfluorosulphonic acid membrane acting as electrolyte. The power is generated by an electrochemical reaction which proceeds with the supply of hydrogen to the fuel electrode and of oxygen or air to the oxidant electrode. In order to induce the reaction, the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell is generally configured by the ion exchange membrane; catalyst layers which are formed on both surfaces of the membrane and consist of a mixture including carbon particles supporting a catalyst substance thereon and a solid polymer electrolyte; gas diffusion layers (supply layers) made of a porous car...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a fuel cell with a solid electrolyte membrane and a plurality of unit cells connected in series. The cells are arranged on a single plane on one surface of the membrane, and a current collector is disposed on the other surface of the membrane. The fuel cell has a thin structure and high integration, and also suppresses leak-out of fuel and leakage of current. The technical effects of the invention include miniaturization, thin structure, and weight-saving of the fuel cell, as well as higher reliability and efficiency.

Problems solved by technology

This cell output is not necessarily sufficient for the driving power source mounted on various devices.

While the unit cells may be stacked to secure the sufficient voltage for realizing the elevated cell voltage, the stacked unit cells are not preferable as the driving power source of a portable device requiring a thin configuration because the thickness of the entire cell increases by the stacking.

However, in this configuration, a wiring is necessary for connecting the cells to increase the cell size and to lower the degree of the cell integration.

However, a current collecting plate mounted on the rear of a catalyst layer in a conventional fuel cell significantly restricts the above miniaturization and the weight-saving of the fuel cell.

Accordingly, the fuel cell has a problem that the size in the direction of its thickness is enlarged.

The insufficient adhesion therebetween causes leak-out of fuel and leakage of current.

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